Cadbury’s staff in Dublin go on indefinite strike

The Workplace Relations Commission has invited unions and management at Cadburys to talks on Friday.

Staff on strike in Dublin said they are concerned the proposed outsourcing of jobs will set a precedent for future changes to employment conditions.

An indefinite picket began at the Coolock facility on Thursday morning over plans by the chocolate maker to implement the move recommended by the Labour Court last November but rejected by workers.

Both the unions, Siptu and Unite, and owner Mondelez have said they are open to talks but remain deadlocked.

The facility produces the eight square Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bar for the domestic, UK and other markets as well as Boost, Flake and Twirl bars. Easter egg production is not affected by the stoppage.

Mondelez said the indefinite action threatens about 700 jobs, including 80 in Rathmore, Co Kerry, which produce the “chocolate crumb” base ingredient for Dublin. The facility has been placed on protective notice by the company.

Outside the factory gates on Thursday, about 20 workers formed a picket line which will rotate on shifts and continue indefinitely. The mood is angry, with a mistrust of the company’s future employment strategy.

“This is what’s happening with Ireland. [Companies] are all outsourcing jobs and I think there will be more strikes. It’s all about shareholders now,” said Shay Moore, who has worked at the plant for the past 30 years.

Outsource

The dispute centres on 17 stores jobs which, following a Labour Court recommendation in November, the company plans to outsource. Existing workers in those positions will be offered alternative roles.

Unite and Siptu have described it as a “unilateral” move by the company as the recommendation was rejected by a “large majority” of the 350 production members.

Their proposed alternative measures to reduce costs and increase flexibility were “rejected outright” by management, leaving them with no alternative but to strike, they said.

Mondelez maintains it is eager to resolve the impasse but cannot enter talks for which the unions are insisting a U-turn on outsourcing the 17 positions remains a precondition.

It says the Irish operations are under “intense” competition internationally and cost twice as much to run as in other countries.

“Any form of industrial action only further undermines the future viability of both the Coolock and Rathmore manufacturing sites, and this action ultimately endangers the jobs of the 700 people who are employed within the business,” it said in a statement.

Since 2006, the company has invested €100 million in its Irish operations.

However, those on strike are concerned about future employment conditions.

“We have asked them in the past to guarantee that they won’t outsource other jobs and they said no, they can’t guarantee that,” said Tony Byrne, a Siptu shop steward and employee of 29 years, taking part in the picket on Thursday.

“We have 100 per cent support from the production group. The electricians and fitters haven’t crossed the picket either and a lot of office staff.”

Philip Baffe, a Unite steward working in Coolock for the same amount of time, said: “The people are very angry. We have outsourced in the past but these are core jobs and people see it as a direct threat because we don’t see it ending [there].”

In March last year, Mondelez announced 145 job losses.

“It’s not just to do with the 17 jobs, it’s to do with our future,” said Brian Tucker, who began in Cadbury’s when he was 20 years old and who said it was always a good place to work.

“Our pensions are going to be decimated if they outsource jobs because it would only be a matter of time before they outsource our jobs.”

Tommy Broughan, a local TD who attended the picket, said Cadbury’s was “an absolute icon for the greater Coolock area. Down through my career and before, it’s supported thousands of families”.

But the area had felt the sting of recent closures, particularly Tayto and Chivers, he said.

“We have had no real replacements for these traditional industries and that would be a concern.”

This latest dispute, he explained, was a reflection of a wider story on solid employment in north Dublin and the erosion of traditional Irish brands.

On Thursday night, Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton stated: “The State provides industrial relations dispute settlement supports in the form of the highly experienced and very effective Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court to assist parties in their efforts to resolve their differences.

“These organisations have a strong record at resolving even the most intractable of disputes and stand ready to assist the parties in this dispute.

“I urge the parties to re-engage with the State’s industrial relations machinery - as this offers the best way for the parties involved to resolve their differences.”